Australia
April 17, 2020

Peak industry body for Queensland horticulture, Growcom is today launching Eat Yourself to Health, a new national campaign encouraging Australians to Eat Up and Branch Out!

Research has shown a varied diet with lots of high-fibre plant foods can help boost gut health and prevent against disease.

Australian adults are recommended to consume at least five serves of vegetables and two serves of fruit per day. But according to recent dietary surveys, the majority of us are not eating even half of that.

To meet the recommended food group intakes, the Australian Dietary Guidelines say most Aussie adults should increase their total consumption of vegetables by more than 30 per cent and double their fruit consumption.

Growcom Chair Belinda Adams said growers at this time of year produce an abundance of fresh fruits, vegetables and nuts each jam packed with nutrients and vitamins that can aid in naturally boosting your immune system.

“Growers are right behind this grassroots campaign. They dedicate their lives to feeding our nation clean, green and nutritious fruits, vegetables and nuts,” Ms Adams said.

“Looking after our health has never been more important as we find our way through this COVID-19 crisis, which is why we’re encouraging Australians to Eat Up and Branch Out.”

As part of the Eat Yourself to Health campaign, individual growers will be challenging consumers to their own unique COVID Cooking Challenge, encouraging creativity in the kitchen by incorporating a wider variety of fresh produce.

“We’re all staying home and cooking more at the moment. So this is a fantastic opportunity to expand our cooking skills and try something new,” Ms Adams said.

“Growers will be issuing the challenge to consumers. Show us how you’re incorporating our fresh produce into your meals, and share the results back with us on social media.”

Growcom CEO David Thomson said growers in Queensland had a particular responsibility for feeding the nation through some of the worst points of the coronavirus outbreak and were rising to that mission.

“Queensland is Australia’s premier state for fruit, vegetable and nut production. Horticulture is the state’s second largest and fastest growing primary industry.

“As the production of fresh produce moves from southern Australia to Queensland through winter, up to 90% of our vegetables nationally will be coming out of the Sunshine State,” Mr Thomson said.

“Queensland’s growers produce more than 120 types of fresh produce across 16 diverse growing regions located from Stanthorpe in the state’s south to Lakelands in the far north. 

“So we are asking consumers to not only support our growers but also support your own health and wellbeing by consuming a wider selection of fresh produce.”

A website has been established with a variety of resources and information for consumers on how to boost their health through increased intake of fruits, vegetables and nuts: www.eatyourselftohealth.com.au/campaign

You can also join the conversation today via social media, on Facebook and Instagram at @eatyourselftohealthau or use the hashtag #EatYourselfToHealth

Website: http://www.growcom.com.au

Published: April 17, 2020